What an incredible way to end one of the most exciting seasons in Formula 1 history — Brazil’s testing Interlagos circuit threw up yet another rain-affected classic.

Jenson Button ended the season as he started, winning the race, and Fernando Alonso did everything within his power to try and rip the title from Sebastian Vettel’s grasp with his fine drive to second. But Vettel carved his way through the field to secure sixth place, having started from last following a tip that sent him into a spin on the opening lap, which allowed him to secure his third drivers’ title on the bounce, edging out Alonso by just three points. This means that Vettel has now joined an elite list of F1 greats to have won three or more F1 drivers’ titles, and he is now the youngest to do so at just 25.

If you’ve been following my columns this season, then you’ve read my explanations of why certain technical innovations have been instrumental in deciding races. And at Interlagos, many of these innovations I discussed were in evidence. The circuit’s mixture of slow and fast corners, extreme elevation changes, anticlockwise layout and bumpy nature makes it one of the most extreme technical tests of both man and machine on the calendar — one that tests a driver’s concentration and fitness levels to the max. Add to the mix a high chance of rain, and you have all the makings of a classic season decider. It did not disappoint.

There was drama right from the race’s start. Bruno Senna, the nephew of the adored national hero Ayrton, tipped Vettel into a spin, putting him in dead last by the end of the opening lap. It was reminiscent of Senna stalling on the grid at Suzuka in 1988 before he carved his way through the field to win the first of his three world titles. Vettel would have to do the same.

Meanwhile, Alonso passed both Felipe Massa and Mark Webber to climb to third, putting himself into championship-winning position. Right from the outset, tire choice was a big factor. The entire field started on slick, dry-weather tires but the rain quickly intensified, leading to a flurry of pit stops to switch to the intermediate rubber — an interim compound falling between the dry and full wet tire.

Driving like a champion, Vettel amazingly worked his way up to seventh by lap eight, using his DRS and KERS. Both he and Alonso pitted for intermediates on lap 11. Ten laps later, the track had dried out, meaning the drivers had to pit again for their dry tires. By the time Vettel returned to the track, he had closed to fifth place behind Alonso.

Up at the front, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Hulkenberg were enjoying a Titanic battle, exchanging places at the front of the field. Hamilton led with 27 laps remaining, but Hulkenberg made a critical mistake while challenging for the lead, sliding his Force India into Hamilton and forcing him into retirement in his final race for McLaren. It was a shame for Hulkenberg. as he was vying to be the season’s eighth different race winner with the drive of his life.

As the rain once again started to fall hard during the final stages of the race, more pit stops were required to switch back to the intermediate tires as the teams kept a close eye on the changing conditions with their weather systems.

The incident between Hamilton and Hulkenberg pushed Button into the lead, as Massa let his teammate Alonso pass to take second. Two laps later, Michael Schumacher, driving in his final Formula 1 race, let heir apparent Vettel through to sixth. As it stood, Vettel was in the clear by three points. But any mistake from Button or Vettel, and Alonso would end up champion for a third time.

But Vettel did what had to be done and held onto the sixth place he needed to guarantee the title. He now joins Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher as the only drivers to have won three successive F1 titles.

"To win that third title here, where one of my greatest idols Ayrton Senna was from, is unreal," said Vettel afterward. "It's very difficult to imagine I join him and other great names in winning three titles."